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Fight over Amazon data center in Indiana
Controversy surrounding a proposed Amazon center coming to Hobart, Indiana. The concerns from residents.
HOBART, Ind. - Last month, Hobart City Council approved an $11 billion Amazon Data Center.
Amazon told the city of Hobart it will construct "multiple buildings" or "shells." It said it will bring more than 400 permanent full-time jobs, with the average pay at $37.44 an hour.
Amazon also told city officials it plans to hire "third party contractors" who will work on site, as well as temporary construction jobs. It plans to build a data center on hundreds of acres of land, on an undeveloped plot of land at 61st and Colorado. The construction is slated to begin sometime this year, with a completion date in 2028.
City council also re-zoned the property as an "economic revitalization area." Under the terms of an agreement between Amazon and the City of Hobart, Amazon will receive a ten-year tax abatement.
Mayor Josh Huddlestun confirmed with Fox Chicago that the city is in receipt of a $47 million payment from Amazon.
The city plan commission approved the fill permit for the data center. Three members voted no and close to 100 people spoke against it. Only two people spoke in favor.
What we don't know:
Amazon has still not publicly released renderings of what the site will look like, nor has the city of Hobart, or Amazon conducted an environmental impact study. Mayor Huddleston told Fox Chicago there could be up to 25 buildings at this site, but there's no guarantee that will happen.
City documents also say Amazon will pay the city an additional $45, 43 and 42 million, after "achievement of project construction milestones." Those benchmarks or milestones are unknown at this time.
The Source: This story contains reporting from Fox Chicago's Bret Buganski.